In the lesson we just did together, I played a pattern based on eighth notes and quarter notes but I played the two eighth notes both picking down! Why? The lesson Fundamental Rhythm 3, where we played eighth notes, we were picking with alternate downstrokes and upstrokes. This is why it is important to think in sixteenths! If you think as you continue to move your hand in sixteenths, removing the hand for strumming what you do not want to, playing the rhythm of the previous lesson here is that you have two eighths with the strum down. Slowly build rhythmic patterns and grooves. Thinking in sixteenths will be crucial for this!